Development and Evaluation of a Combined Two-Level Subsoiler for Strip-Tilling Sugarcane Fields

In Khuzestan Province of Iran, the number of traffic passes made by heavy farm machinery in sugarcane land preparation varies depending upon field conditions, ranging from a minimum of ۱۰ to a maximum of ۱۶ passes annually. To reduce the energy, time and cost, it is imperative to use conservation tillage as well as controlled traffic systems. The objectives of this research were to develop and evaluate a combined strip deep tillage machine equipped with a two-level deep tillage implement including a dual sideway-share and a winged subsoiler, cum with a set of discs. To optimize the dual-sideway-share subsoiler, the effects of share rake angle (۷.۵° and ۱۵°) and length (۱۵۰ and ۲۰۰ mm) on the implement field performance were examined. Also, to optimize the winged subsoiler, it was tested with its wing having different lengths (۰, ۲۰۰, ۲۵۰, and ۳۰۰ mm). Finally, the performance of the developed combined strip deep tillage machine was compared with a conventional subsoiler used for deep tillage in the fields. The results showed that the optimized combined strip deep tillage machine should be equipped with the dual sideway-share subsoiler having a share with a ۷.۵° rake angle and ۱۵۰ mm length, and the winged subsoiler with ۲۵۰ mm length of wing. The results showed that the specific resistance of the developed machine decreased by ۳۴% as compared to the conventional subsoiler. Therefore, the machine has higher efficiency and is an environmentally friendly implement for sustainable sugarcane production in southwest Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Conservation tillage ، Controlled-traffic ، Draft ، Ripper ، Specific resistance